Message of 12-9-10
Published: Mon, 12/06/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
There's a time to get ready by focusing on your own sinfulness and
wrongdoing, a time for personal transformation and following Christ
to the cross. That's Lent. There's a time to get ready by rejoicing
that our God is not far away and unfamiliar with the struggles of
human life, that Christ is here right now among His followers, that
God has already begun to bring in the Kingdom, and that Christ will
come again to make it clear who really runs the place. That's
Advent. "Lo, I am with you, even unto the end of the age", says
Jesus.
- Robert Longman Jr.
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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE DAY
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1 and 9, 10-11, 12-13ab; Mt 11:11-15
R. (8) The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of
great kindness.
I will extol you, O my God and King,
and I will bless your name forever and ever.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
Let them make known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
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MEDITATION ON THE GOSPEL
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
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- Matthew 11:11-15 (Jesus praises John the Baptist)
The figure of John the Baptist is one revered by the Church. John
was apparently one of the greatest of Jewish prophets, one believed
by many to be the messiah. The Church has long considered John the
forerunner of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. In today's reading Jesus
himself identifies John as the spirit of Elijah who had been
prophesied to usher in the new age.
- The spirit of John the Baptist was a spirit of boldness and
courage which Winston Churchill maintained made all other virtues
possible. Are you courageous in standing up for the gospel?
- Pray for the grace to let go of fear in your life.
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SPIRITUAL READING
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
- The Disciple
Oh, how sweet and kind to the ear of the sinner is the word by
which You, my Lord God, invite the poor and needy to receive Your
most holy Body! Who am I, Lord, that I should presume to approach
You? Behold, the heaven of heavens cannot contain You, and yet You
say: "Come, all of you, to Me."
What means this most gracious honor and this friendly invitation?
How shall I dare to come, I who am conscious of no good on which to
presume? How shall I lead You into my house, I who have so often
offended in Your most kindly sight? Angels and archangels revere
You, the holy and the just fear You, and You say: "Come to Me: all
of you!" If You, Lord, had not said it, who would have believed it
to be true? And if You had not commanded, who would dare approach?
- Book 4, Chapter 1
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